If you have ever seen Nue Breed perform during a multi-artist gospel music concert, you may have noticed something interesting: The audience, especially if its mostly youth, claps politely for the other artists.
However, when Nue Breed comes out they run to the stage, jumping up and down as he recites his lyrics and gets the crowd hyped with his rousing gestures and energetic choreography.
“It’s because I know what they like,” he said in a non-pretentious, matter-of-fact manner. “I don’t make music for myself, and I know that the majority of my audience is youth. They, and many people in general, like energy, those hard-hittin’ beats and those catchy hooks.”
From a young age, Nue Breed, whose birth name is Benjamin Farr, has been committed to giving listeners another important element of good gospel music: a message of hope, salvation and spiritual freedom.
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Nue Breed, 28, grew up in the church as the son of a pastor, and began writing music at age 7.
Later, Farr and a group of friends formed the popular Indianapolis group C.O.R.P 1 (Christ Our Righteous Praise), which appeared at numerous events and performed alongside prominent gospel artists such as Mary Mary, Cross Movement, and KJ52.
After the journey of C.O.R.P. came to an end, Nue Breed found himself trying to live a worldly hustler’s lifetsyle, before returning to the faith he grew up in and accepting his calling as a minister of music.
“I came to the realize that music is a powerful art form that can change the lives of people and be especially useful in engaging our youth,” he said.
As a solo artist, Nue Breed has become well known for urban gospel favorites such as “Break Me Down,” “Bounce Like Dis’” and “180.” He appears frequently at events hosted by Circle City Classic, Indiana Black Expo and the Indiana State Fair.
Nue Breed’s 2010 album, “Farewell 2 Da’ Flesh,” was praised in several reviews, and he plans to release his next album, “The Overflow” this summer.
In addition to his talent as a music artist, Nue Breed also holds an associate’s degree in culinary arts and plans to open his own restaurant someday. In the meantime, however, he will continue presenting his high energy, spontaneous praise and worship fests.
“With the years of youth that I have left, I’m committed to helping people of all ages have a more intimate relationship with God,” he said. “My music can be called hip hop, but it will always have a different, uplifting message to it.”
